Jai Alai IPA | Cigar City Brewing

Notes / Commercial Description:
Pours copper in color with notes of citrus and tropical fruit in the aroma. Flavor has upfront citrus bitterness with a hint of caramel and citrus and tropical fruit hop notes in the finish.

Reviews by julian:

A: Pours looks to be fairly big bodied and hazy. Coppery orange in color with a very healthy off white colored head that lingers nicely. 4

S: It’s definitely dominant on the malt (caramel), and has a lot of bready/toasty aromas, brown sugar and a bit of raisin 3

T&M: Taste is pretty much in line with the aroma. Lots of caramel, sweet malt, almost burnt brown sugar like or solventy. There’s also some toasted malt flavor along with a hop character that’s definitely present and trying to vie for attention, but it’s just not a hop presence I’m enoying. The mouthfeel is nice. Medium - big bodied and creamy smooth, although there is a weird roof of my mouth “tingle” that it’s causing and I’ve never felt that before. 3 / 4

O: Too malty for an IPA, although some may like it. It’s got a decent hop presence but it’s not remarkable and doesn’t make me want more. Too much caramel malt. Not balanced enough for me for the style, and not my kind of IPA aroma or taste. 3

More User Reviews:

This ale puts its foot on the border of IPA and Impy IPA, a blurring of the lines. Clear copper hue, impressive lacing but coming from a highly hopped beer ... not a surprise. Big hop stink, heavy citric of ruby red grapefruit and tangerines ... faintly catty with some taffy undertones. Hops smack down hard, though some caramel and biscuity flavors from the malt appear; aside from that, it is a full-on palate bashing of citric, earthy pine, tobacco and wild herbs with a tropical fruitiness to compliment. Seriously epic beer, we can only hope a pint of it is waiting for us at the gates of hop heaven.

And the new wave of IPA begins- fruit forward with both hops and esters; fused together with a seamless web of maltiness, citrus, tropical and orchard fruit but without compromising dryness, crispness or drinkability. I like where this is going!

Pouring a mid-amber honey-like color, the ale seems a touch darker because of its unadulturated haze. A very formidable ivory head forms on the beer and retains very well with sticky lace all around.

Aromas are hop-balanced between caramel malts, citrus and spicy hops, and alcohol. Lightly fruity and yeasty notes weave within the alcohols. Its a soft and appealing scent that seems slightly English-like.

Graham cracker breadiness, caramel flavor, and spicy alcohols set the stage while the orange zest, ruby red grapefruit, and pineapple hop character bounce off the glass is vibrant and assertive fashion. Bitterness does much more than just balance out the malts but never really demand attention away from them. Again light fruity notes make me think of English Ales- non descript but fruity nonetheless.

Medium creamy and medium sweet, the beer starts out with a hearty malty tone that waits until the last second to crispen up and dry out. Still, the finish hold onto a lot of sweetness and weight despite the adequate carbonation. The aftertaste brings an alcoholic and hoppy-dry memory of the beer; I just wish this had happened at mid-palate and then carried through.

Its quite remarkable the effect that these deeply citrus and tropical flavored hops have with the embedded starch and yeast all have on this new wave IPA taste. Its a smoother and more balanced approach will appeal to a wide range of beer drinkers- even those who have traditionally steered away from hoppy beers.

S- Tropical and citrus fruits. Super fresh and fruity. Lots of pear, mango, even some orange. Not much pine or grass, but some resins very lightly detectable.

T- Just like the smell, this ale is very fruity. Lots of tropical layerings giving it a very fresh and drinkable taste with just the right amount of lightly detected malts and resins. This IPA is super juicy but the light bitterness reminds you its def an IPA.

An outstanding beer and an outstanding IPA. Significant amount of carmel malt. Very, very juicy and sweet. Tons of orange and tropical fruits. A unique flavor and associated aroma that I can't pinpoint, but would describe as kind of musty/earthy, but not an "east coast" thing necessarily. More like a dank, wet pine tree. Low bitterness in the finish. Comes across a little more balanced than some others in case you are looking for a hop bomb. Reminds me of Deshutes Fresh Squeezed a bit. I also have found that I enjoy this more from the can than poured, which I have only had happen with a few beers. I think it is because the aroma is a weaker point, where the flavor is significantly better. A world class IPA, but be warned, it does seem to fall off drastically after a few weeks. Finding it fresh never seems to be a problem though. Hands down my favorite beach/hot weather IPA

I am generous on reviews at times but I have reserved the really high scores for outstanding beers. This one is one I have wanted to try for a long time and thanks to a fantastic trade I have acquired this one. I might have to keep this one hot on the pipeline! Jesus its good!

Look: Perfect color for an IPA in my opinion, they range from all over the place but this one sits on the darker side of that fence and I tend to like those better. This one is a reddish amber color with a bit of copper in there. Head remains pretty solid throughout the pour.

Smell: Sweet not overly so, you can detect some malts in there, but this beer is fantastic in the aroma. Nice tropical fruits, mango, papaya, guava, maybe some passionfruit in there as well. Its not as intense as the flavor will give up.

Flavor: Holy shit this is the best tasting IPA I have ever had no doubt. It blends everything I like in this style of beer. Its sweet but not overly so, its got a nice resinous quality to it, but its balanced by the malts, this is a hugely balanced beer. Its on the assertive side more than pseudosue or Zombie Dust, but then those are technically Pale Ales. This beer is not too bitter but bitter enough. Super enjoyable great mouthfeel, not sticky but not overly drying either. I want a case next time I go to the beach!

Overall: Thus far this is the best IPA I have ever had. No doubt. It is rated highly and for good reason. I have a few more CCB beer waiting for me, but those are a completely different style, but if this is indicative of what this brewery can do, I am happy to trade again for just about anything! This is truly an outstanding IPA!

Pours a quite hazy, copper-orange with lots of carbonation. Also, a white, foamy head that leaves lots of lacing.
Citrus hop abound! Also a resin smell and floral. Awesome!
Taste is amazing! Follows the nose. A wonderful combination of citrus hop and malt in which the hop comes through. Mouthfeel is creamy for an APA. Also hoppier than most APA's. It kind of reminds me of some food dipa's with the slight funk.

An outstanding example of the IPA class of beers. Living near Tampa, I receive very fresh samples of Jai Alai (pronounced: "Hi Lie"). Last sixer was 7 days in the can - wife says that tonight's sixer is dated 7 days old as well (she called from store to ask if date was OK). From the pop of the top - you KNOW this is going to be something special. The aroma fills the room! Fruit - citrus and wow! I understand that CCB uses Ahtanum hops for aroma - and one can tell. Head is off-white and lacey. Taste has to be experienced.... It is the World Class IPA that other IPAs try to be - just like the Bros say. A deliciouse beverage that is up there with the ABV pushing the IIPA boundry - but it is not noticed due to the sensory experience of the beer. A bit pricey - but worth it. Not my everyday beer - but a sixer on Friday is to be expected in my home (and it IS Friday!). This is my favorite IPA.
Drink fresh. Drink Local.

Cigar City's Jai Alai enjoys a stellar reputation-- and with good reason. This is an exceptionally well balanced beer with a deft hand managing the balance between hoppiness, malt and citrusy notes. I can only imagine the pairing of this beer with equally well made empanadas or deviled crab cakes-- both of which Ybor City produces with deserved pride. If you can find this beer, get it for the true IPA lover in your life. Unless that's you. Then don't share it at all.

My first Cigar City beer and unsurprisingly it's a very malty east coast IPA. Resinous hop and citrus flavors make themselves present at the front of the tongue and finish with the creamier malty characteristics at the back. A very nice change of pace from some of the west coast hop bombs.

From a can into a pilsner glass at Trump's place in Doral, Florida. I would say this is one of the three best IPAs I have had the pleasure of drinking. Wonderful juicy hops with tons of tropical fruit but also a dankness that reminds me of our storm/canning/pickling cellar when I was a kid in Oklahoma. That part seems more like a DIPA and is always welcome in any IPA I drink. If you haven't had one, put it on your bucket list. You'll be glad you did. CIGAR CITY...send it to Houston!!

After this last experience, I had to edit my review... First let me say, some of the cans I've had have been perfect 5's in every category. But then some have been about 4.5. I think the key is having one less than 3 months old and letting the can sit at room temp for about 20 minutes or so before you pop the top. If you get it right, Jai Alai, judged in the category of IPA, has the potential to blow your mind! This review describes Jai Alai at its best.

Canned on 3/8/17, enjoyed on Memorial Day 5/29/17. 2nd fresh 6 pack in October 2017.

L: Can said pour gently so I did. Poured a beautiful bright, almost glowing, golden yellow orange. Clean, thick and dense white amber head, lots of sticky lacing. Even the graphics on the can look hoppy and dank!

T: Fruity hops on the front, pleasant, citrusy and clean. Excellent smooth malty bitterness. Very good! Not too piney, bitter or sweet but a good dose of them all. This is what I think of when I think of the perfect IPA. SO GOOD!

F: The most resinous and hoppy oiled IPA I've ever had. Just enough carbonation. Medium to full bodied. This must be the threshold of an IPA/DIPA. Amazingly drinkable.

O: It's IMPERATIVE that you let this one warm up. I had a couple that were straight out of the fridge and they weren't nearly as good. When you hit the right temperature, Jai Alai is a bold IPA that pushes the limits in every category while remaining very friendly and welcoming. The end result is a very flavorful and drinkable IPA that should be experienced by everyone. Definitely one of my favorite IPA's if not my favorite. Wishing they had a DIPA as readily available. Found a six pack on the shelf at Publix for $10. Amarillo, Simcoe, Cascade, Motueka, Centinnial and CTZ hops.

T: Upfront, you get the candied orange, orange marmalade, some mango, pineapple, and hints of apricot. In the middle, a big push of brown bread, bordering on brown sugar and caramel. On the finish, I get a very distinct grape jelly flavor, though whether this is from the yeast, hops, malt, or some bizarre combination, I do not know. Finishes with a very faint bitterness, some grapefruit and orange peel, just enough to balance it out, although this remains a mostly sweet IPA.

F: A nice, smooth, almost creamy body, with ample carbonation. Drinks very nicely.

Thick frothy,white,1 1/2 finger head that retains well,and leaves a beautiful lacing on the glass.The poor created a beautiful cascade,that went from the top,to the bottom of the glass.Dark gold / amber in color.Moderate carbonation,that rises fast.The light coming through the glass is plenty,but it is distorted light,and there are alot of small particles floating around.

The nose is very hop forward,you have alot of citrus,and pine aromas.This was the beer that got me started on craft beer,and it was because a friend told me it smelled like really good weed lol.And that fragrance still holds true today! Some earthy notes as well from the hops.

The palate follows the nose,very hop forward IPA.Pine resin,grapefruit,some sweet malts to balance it out.I also get some earthy hop notes.A very nice bitter back end to finish it out.This is a great tasting IPA.

The body is medium,with a good amount of punch from the hops,and the carbonation.Medium dry finish,very smooth going down.

This is a go to IPA for me ,living in the state of Florida.Looks great in the glass,smells amazing,has that great IPA taste without too much bitterness,and feels great going down.This is the beer that got me into craft beers,and I am truly going to miss drinking it when I move to Massachusetts.

This is all fruit and hops. There are layers of citrus, tropical fruits such as pineapple and mango, and a nice hop presence on the back end. Not a super hoppy IPA, but a great representation of the fruit forward side. My favorite type of IPA.

Absolutely wonderful and delicious beer I received from my Dad and Sherrie when they were in Florida for this last year's winter vacation of 2017. They gave me a 12 ounce can. Tried it right away and was not disappointed at all. Tangy and tasty..... More than any IPA I've ever tried. A MUST HAVE! Thanks Dad and Sherrie!

M: a solid medium body with an incredible smoothness despite the crisp hops; fuzzy carbonation, very refreshing and clean-finishing

O: another top tier IPA - all accolades are appropriate - if there weren't so many great IPAs I could rave, but suffice it to say that this is right there with many of the best in the style, such as AleSmith's IPA, Union Jack, and Flower Power.

Cigar City Jai Alai India Pale Ale has a thick, off-white, spongy head, a mostly clear, very bubbly, deep amber appearance, and significant lacing left on the glass. The aroma is bold- strong, piney hops and vibrant sweetness. Taste is of a out-front, piney hop bitterness, sweet, white bread malts, and and maybe sugar. Mouthfeel is medium and slick, and Cigar City Jai Alai finishes crisp, bold, and not alcohilic. Great and wonderful!

The beer pours a nice and white bubbly head that dissipates quickly but leaves a bit of white stuff on the surface. The beer itself is a clear pale amber color that looks wonderful in the light.

The beer smell is pretty good and fairly balanced even if it is a little on the hoppy side. The smell has a strong and diverse hop note with different kinds coming through. The most noticeable hop note is a strong pine smell and the other notes are mainly citrusy with a slight tropical hint. The hop notes are accompanied by a nice sweet caramel malt note that complements the tropical and citrus hops perfectly.

The taste is just as good as the smell in terms of strength and quality. The hop note is fairly strong and mainly comes out as citrusy and tropical with a slight pine note towards the end. The caramel malt taste is still there but not as strong as the smell.

The feel is pretty good. The beer has a smooth feel and the carbonation gives a slight texture that works very well. Slightly dry finish.

Overall, a very good IPA and I can see why it's considered to be one of the best. Get it.

Quick review. One of a kind IPA - deep citrus & tropical fruit aromas envelop you on the nose & carry over remarkably well to the palate. Carb & mouthfeel are perfect. Just enough malt to offset the fruity, slightly resinous hops.

Reviewing from notes - had it a good while ago. Family traveled to Florida and brought me the sixer back. Used to be available on a hit or miss basis around here, but haven't seen it in a while. With all said.....

Good looking beer, copper with a thick luxurious head (judging by my glowing use of luxurious, I'd bet it wasn't' my first beer on rating day....)

Expected a knock out fruit smell but got a little more grassy than I thought which muted the grapefruit a little

Taste follows the nose, as it has grassy into that fades to grapefruit while giving a little too much maltiness to go on.

Legit local beer, lucky gal right here to get freshies daily. Pours copper in color with notes of citrus and tropical fruit in the aroma. Flavor has upfront citrus bitterness with a hint of caramel and citrus and tropical fruit hop notes in the finish.